Viktor Orbán’s new nationalist group, Patriots for Europe, has officially been established in the European Parliament with 84 MEPs, making it the third-largest group in the hemicycle. The group, launched just last week, has succeeded the previous far-right group in the Parliament, Identity and Democracy (ID), which has disbanded. The Patriots have quickly expanded with parties from various countries joining the project, including France’s Rassemblement National and Italy’s Lega. Marine Le Pen’s RN is the largest delegation within the group with thirty MEPs, followed by Orbán’s Fidesz with eleven lawmakers.
Other parties contributing to the Patriots group include Matteo Salvini’s Lega, Andrej Babiš’ ANO, Austria’s Freedom Party, Spain’s far-right Vox, and the Dutch nationalist PVV. The group also includes lawmakers from Belgium’s Vlaams Belang, Portugal’s Chega!, Czechia’s Oath and Motorists, Greece’s Voice of Reason, Latvia First party, and the Danish People’s Party, totaling 84 MEPs. RN leader Jordan Bardella has been appointed as the president of the group, emphasizing the group’s focus on identity, sovereignty, and freedom. Hungarian Kinga Gál has been appointed as the first vice-president with several other vice-presidents from different parties.
The Patriots group, with 84 MEPs, has surpassed both the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the liberal Renew Europe in terms of size, making it the third force in the European Parliament. The reduction in the overall number of MEPs from 751 to 720 has made the presence of the Patriots group more noticeable. The group aims to represent tens of millions of citizens across European nations who value their identity and sovereignty. By joining forces with various nationalist parties from different countries, the Patriots for Europe have established a substantial presence in the European Parliament.
The formation of the Patriots for Europe group marks a significant development in the European political landscape, with far-right and nationalist parties uniting under a common banner. With 84 MEPs, the group now holds a considerable amount of influence in the Parliament, surpassing other established political blocs. The appointment of RN leader Jordan Bardella as president and a diverse group of vice-presidents demonstrates the group’s commitment to representing a wide range of nationalist ideologies.
The presence of parties like Rassemblement National, Lega, and Fidesz within the Patriots group signifies a growing trend towards nationalism and populism in European politics. The group’s emphasis on identity, sovereignty, and freedom resonates with a significant portion of the European population. As the third-largest group in the European Parliament, the Patriots for Europe are set to play a prominent role in shaping the future direction of European politics, particularly in relation to issues of national sovereignty and cultural identity.
Overall, the establishment of the Patriots for Europe group represents a significant shift in the European political landscape, with nationalist parties coming together to form a cohesive bloc within the European Parliament. With their focus on identity and sovereignty, the group aims to represent the interests of millions of citizens across European nations. As the third-largest group in the Parliament, the Patriots for Europe are poised to have a considerable impact on the direction of European politics in the coming years.
